CHICAGO — The scoreboard in right field spelled out the grim news throughout the night. The Tampa Bay Rays were first to clinch their spot in the playoffs, beating the Baltimore Orioles at home.

Then came the final blow, delivered by way of Canada like a cruel winter cold front. The Yankees had beaten the Blue Jays and also were in. The Red Sox officially had been eliminated.

For only the second time in the last eight seasons, there will be no postseason baseball for Boston.

Their fate already decided, the Red Sox still had a chance to win a game last night. But it only got worse as they kicked away a lead and fell, 5-4, to the White Sox, giving up three runs over the final three innings.

That the injury ravaged Red Sox did well to delay their elimination until the final days of the season did little to cushion the finality of elimination.

“There’s no fun going home before you want to, regardless of what’s happened,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “I think the world of those guys in that clubhouse and the effort. I want to keep playing.’’

David Ortiz, the center of so many champagne celebrations over the years, spoke bravely about preparing for next season and praised the skill of the young players the team used this season.

But he acknowledged that being on the outside was a difficult emotion to deal with.

“Watching the games on TV, it’s going to feel weird,’’ Ortiz said.

Fittingly, given what transpired so often during the season, it was the bullpen that cost the Red Sox last night. Ahead, 4-2, the Sox gave up a run in the seventh, another in the eighth, and a walkoff single by Dayan Viciedo with two outs in the ninth.

Rookie Michael Bowden took the loss, giving up a one-out single to Juan Pierre. With two outs, Pierre stole second and third while rookie Dustin Richardson was walking Mark Teahen.

Another reliever, Matt Fox, came in and gave up the single to Viciedo.

Daniel Bard blew the save in the eighth inning when he walked Manny Ramirez and allowed an RBI double by Paul Konerko.

The latest bullpen meltdown wasted the effort of John Lackey, who gave up two runs over six innings. His only mistake came in the fourth when a two-strike fastball to Carlos Quentin cut over the plate and was lined to left for a two-run homer.

Quentin is 8 for 12 against Lackey with four home runs in his career.

Lackey shook his head when asked about watching the lead he handed off get wasted.

“It’s been one of those seasons,’’ he said. “Not much you can do.’’

Last night only made official what was six months in the making. The Red Sox won their first game and never spent another day in first place, losing nine of their next 12 and building a trap they were never quite able to fully escape.

Along the way they were only 24-20 against the four worst teams in the American League, the Indians, Mariners, Orioles, and Royals. The Sox also are 5-11 in extra inning games and will finish this season with their fewest wins at Fenway Park since 2003.

Opening Day starter Josh Beckett, signed to a lucrative contract extension in April, has so far pitched in only 20 games and won six of them.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon blew eight saves, a career worst. Outside of Bard, the bullpen was a liability for much of the season.

Lackey, the big free agent acquisition of the offseason, had a lackluster season. A pitching staff expected to be one of the best in the game proved to be below average in the AL.

Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia was lost to injury for all but two games in late June. Fellow All-Star Kevin Youkilis played his final game Aug. 2 because of a thumb injury. Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury played only 18 games because of fractured ribs.

The Sox had enough to remain competitive but could not catch the Yankees and Rays.

“It’s a testament to these guys’ character that we stayed in it as long as we did,’’ Lackey said.

The Sox didn’t have much trouble getting to White Sox starter Edwin Jackson early in the game.

Adrian Beltre led off the second inning with his major league-leading 49th double. Jed Lowrie followed with a double into the left field corner to make it 1-0. The Sox made it 3-0 in the third, when J.D. Drew homered and Beltre hit a sacrifice fly. Ortiz added a home run in the sixth inning.

Ortiz has 32 home runs and 101 RBIs.

The Sox have two more games against the White Sox then close the season with three home games against the Yankees. The only goal left for the 87-70 Sox is to try to get to 90 wins.

“It’s disappointing, obviously,’’ captain Jason Varitek said. “That’s the biggest thing. You work throughout the season to get an opportunity. All you want is a chance.’’

CHICAGO, Illinois (Monday, September 27, 2010) – Clay Buchholz cruised to his 17th win of the season, allowing five hits and a run over eight innings as the Red Sox beat the White Sox, 6-1, at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday. Mark Buehrle fell to 12-13 as he allowed 11 hits and four runs over six innings for the loss. The Red Sox have now won four of the last five games, while the White Sox break a four-game win streak.

Boston got right to work in the top of the first as David Ortiz as David Ortiz hit a two-out, two-run double to right field for a 2-0 lead.

The lead became 3-0 in the third as Victor Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

In the top of the fifth, Adrian Beltre’s single to left field made it 4-0. In the bottom half, the White Sox got on the board for their only run of the game as Brett Morel hit a sacrifice fly to left field.

Martinez hit a one-out single to left field in the seventh, while Adrian Beltre capped the scoring with a one-out double to center in the ninth.

The Red Sox look to pull ahead in the second of four games on Tuesday night when John Lackey faces Edwin Jackson.

* The Red Sox open their final road series of the season tonight as they face the White Sox in the first of a four-game set at U.S. Cellular Field. This series marks the first and only trip to the Windy City for the Sox and must sweep the four-game set to win the season series with the Pale Hose. Since 2007, the Sox have won seven of their last 12 in Chicago. The Sox have won or split each of the last seven season series against the White Sox.

Happy birthday to Red Sox hall of famer Johnny Pesky who turns 91 years young today.

On the road, one last time: The Red Sox continue their seven-game roadtrip tonight with the opener of four against the White Sox in Chicago. Following this series, the Sox conclude the season with a three-game series against the Yankees at Fenway. The Sox have won six of their last seven road games, while the team is 34-25 away from Fenway Park since May 22, the second-best mark in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 86-69, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tenth-best in the Majors. Boston has lost five of the last nine and their playoff hopes can end with a loss or a Yankees win tonight. They sit in third place in the division (7.0 games behind the Rays, elimination number is 1) and second place in the Wild Card (6.5 games behind the Yankees, elimination number is 1).

Thanks, Mike: The Sox have designated Saturday’s game as “Thanks, Mike Night” at Fenway Park to honor Mike Lowell as he retires from baseball after a remarkable 13-year career. The four-time All-Star will be honored during on-field ceremonies before the game.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

Jonathan Papelbon gave up four runs in the ninth inning, blowing his seventh save. (Elsa/Getty Images)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Sunday, September 5, 2010) – Jonathan Papelbon allowed four runs in the ninth inning as the White Sox completed a stunning sweep, dropping the Red Sox, 7-5, on Sunday at Fenway Park. The Pale Hose extended their winning streak to six games, despite coming back from two runs down with two outs.

In the second, Chicago took a 1-0 lead as Alexi Ramirez singled to right field, scoring Carlos Quentin with no outs in the frame.

The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the third when David Ortiz doubled to right field, bringing home Darnell McDonald and Jed Lowrie with two outs.

The game continued back and forth, but the White Sox did not strike back until the seventh inning as Quentin singled back to the pitcher, scoring Juan Pierre. An error by Daniel Bard allowed Alex Rios to score the second run, which turned out to be crucial in the game. Boston took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the inning as Victor Martinez belted a two-out, two-run home run to left field.

In the eighth, a Bill Hall groundout with one out made it 5-3, but Chicago came back to score four times against closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Rios scored on a double to center field by Quentin, while pinch runner Brent Lillibridge scored from second on a single to right by Ramon Castro. The ChiSox went ahead on bases loaded walks to Gordon Beckham and Pierre to take a 7-5 lead and eventual win.

Mark Buehrle started the game for Chicago and allowed ten hits and four runs over seven innings, while reliever Scott Linebrink got the win as he allowed three hits in one inning for his third win. Matt Thornton earned his sixth save with a perfect ninth.

Josh Beckett allowed nine hits and three runs (one earned) over 6.1 innings for a no-decision, while Jonathan Papelbon blew his seventh save and took his sixth loss.

The Sox open a three-game series with the Rays on Monday night. Jon Lester will face Jeff Niemann in the opener on Monday night at Fenway.

NOTES

* Catcher Jason Varitek opened his quick rehab assignment tonight with the first of two games at Triple-A Pawtucket against Syracuse (WSH) at McCoy Stadium. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI single as he caught five innings as the PawSox fell 5-4.

* The Sox and Sox conclude the weekend series as they meet in the third game, with Chicago looking for the sweep. Last season, the teams split the season series four games a piece, but the ChiSox currently lead with two wins yesterday. The current series marks the latest into the calendar year that the Red Sox and White Sox have ever met for the first time in a season, passing last year’s season series start of August 24. Boston has not lost the season series against the Pale Hose since going 2-4 in 2002, although the teams tied last season.

Tekking to Pawtucket: Catcher Jason Varitek was cleared to go on rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket and will join the PawSox as they close the home schedule today and tomorrow against Syracuse (WSH). He is expected to catch four or five innings today, while DHing tomorrow and hopes to return during the Rays series, which begins tomorrow night.

Roster Move: The Sox have recalled RHP Robert Coello from Triple-A Pawtucket. The 25-year-old Floridian is in his fourth professional season and second in the Red Sox organization after signing as a minor league free agent on November 10, 2008 following a year in the Golden League (Calgary and Edmonton). He leads Sox minor leaguers with 130 strikeouts in 2010 after going 7-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 32 appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.

For the Record: The Sox are 76-60, good for third in the A.L. East and eighth-best in the Majors. The Sox have won seven of 13 and 21 of the last 37 games. The Sox sit third in the division, ten games behind first place New York, their largest deficit since the beginning of last October. They sit 7.5 games behind Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox continue a six-day, six-game homestand today with the last of three tilts against the White Sox. Following this series, Boston hosts the Rays for a three-game set from Monday-Wednesday. After an off-day on Thursday, the club embarks on a six-game west coast road trip through Oakland (September 10-12) and Seattle (September 13-15). Of Boston’s remaining 28 regular season games, 13 will be played on the road and 15 will be at Fenway Park. Following the current homestand, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with two road trips and two homestands. Since April 20, the Sox are 39-22 at Fenway and have won or split 17 of 20 home series. During that span, Boston’s record ranks third in the American League behind the Yankees.

If catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia didn't drop the ball, who knows what would happen? (Winslow Townson/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Saturday, September 4, 2010) – It was deja vu all over again for the Red Sox as they fell to the Chicago White Sox for the second time today by a 3-1 score at Fenway Saturday night. The Red Sox were swept in a doubleheader for the 1st time since falling 12-4 and 14-11 to the Yankees at Fenway Park on August 18, 2006. Boston had played 12 twinbills since without being swept. The last time the Sox scored as few as two runs in a day in which they played two games was July 16, 1976 at Kansas City, when they scored a single run in each end of the double dip.

John Lackey was the tough-luck loser, falling to 12-8, allowing just one earned run in seven innings while striking out seven. Gavin Floyd earned his 10th win, allowing five hits and a run over six innings. Bobby Jenks recorded his 27th save by getting four outs.

In the third, Gordon Beckham reached on a fielder’s choice, but Carlos Quentin scored on an error by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia as he dropped the ball while applying the tag at the plate.

The Sox answered in the fifth as Marco Scutaro singled to center with nobody out, scoring Ryan Kalish to tie the game.

Quentin gave the ChiSox a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh as he doubled to deep center, scoring Mark Teahan with nobody out. The next batter, Ramon Castro, hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Quentin.

Manny's ChiSox have won just two of the last five games against Boston, but were victorious in this afternoon's opener. (Boston Globe)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Saturday, September 4, 2010) – Manny Ramirez returned to Fenway Park, going 2-for-4 as the White Sox topped their color counterparts, 3-1, on Saturday at Fenway behind a solid mound performance by John Danks. It marked the first time the Sox have dropped the opener of a day-night doubleheader at home since September 28, 2008 against the Yankees. Danks and the Pale Hose snap Boston’s two-game winning streak, while Chicago continues a three-game winning streak.

For those that wonder, Manny was greeted to a mix of cheers and boos before the game and as he stepped in for his first plate appearance.

Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as A.J. Pierzynski grounded into a double play, driving in Paul Konerko with one out. Pierzynski and Konerko teamed up again in the fourth as he lined a one-out single to center field, making it 2-0.

In the fifth, Marco Scutaro drove in Bill Hall on a no-out single through the infield.

In the seventh, Gordon Beckham gave the ChiSox an insurance run as Alexi Ramirez scored on a one-out double to left field.

Danks allowed six hits and a run over seven innings for his 13th win, while Bobby Jenks recorded his 26th save. Clay Buchholz took the loss, falling to 15-6, allowing six hits and two runs over five innings.

John Lackey faces Gavin Floyd in the second game of the doubleheader at 7:10 p.m.

NOTES

* Catcher Jason Varitek was cleared to go on rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket and will join the PawSox as they close the home schedule Sunday and Monday against Syracuse (WSH). He is expected to catch four or five innings tomorrow, while DHing Monday and hopes to return during the Rays series, which begins Monday night.

* Mike Lowell broke a rib in a collision with Toronto infielder John McDonald on August 20. He had some discomfort that led to an x-ray in Tampa last weekend followed by an MRI and CT scan on Friday. Lowell addressed the media a while ago and said he’ll play through it.

* The Sox and Sox match-up for the first time today at Fenway Park as the teams play a doubleheader. Last season, the teams split the season series four games a piece, including a 3-1 mark at home and a 1-3 mark in the Windy City. The current series marks the latest into the calendar year that the Red Sox and White Sox have ever met for the first time in a season, passing last year’s season series start of August 24. Boston has not lost the season series against the Pale Hose since going 2-4 in 2002, although the teams tied last season.

Two in one: The Red Sox begin a six-day, six-game homestand today with a day-night doubleheader against the White Sox, opening a three-game set after last night’s game was postponed. Following this series, Boston hosts the Rays for three games from Monday through Wednesday. Tickets for last night’s scheduled series opener are valid for today’s rescheduled game at 1:05 p.m.

Friendly confines of Fenway: Of Boston’s remaining 28 regular season games, 13 will be played on the road and 15 will be at Fenway Park. Following the current homestand, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with 2 road trips and 2 homestands. Since April 20, the Sox are 39-20 at Fenway and have won or split 17 of 19 home series. During that span, Boston’s record ranks second in the American League behind the Yankees.

For the Record: The Sox are 76-58, good for third in the A.L. East and eighth-best in the Majors. The Sox have won seven of 11 and 21 of the last 35 games. The Sox sit third in the division, 8.5 games behind first place New York, their largest deficit since May 23. They sit seven games behind Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race.

Pedroia Update: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia underwent successful surgery yesterday morning on the navicular bone of his left foot. A screw was inserted to promote healing of a fracture which occurred on June 25 in San Francisco. The procedure was performed by Dr. George Theodore and Dr. Tom Gill at Massachusetts General Hospital.

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Friday, September 3, 2010) – Tonight’s Red Sox-White Sox game at Fenway Park has been postponed due to this evening’s weather forecast for heavy rain and strong winds associated with Hurricane Earl.

Tonight’s game has been rescheduled as the first game of a day-night doubleheader, tomorrow, Saturday, September 4, beginning at 1:05 p.m. The regularly scheduled game between the Red Sox and White Sox will be played at 7:10 p.m. Saturday evening.

Tickets for tonight’s game will be good for admission to Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game between the Red Sox and White Sox.

The decision to postpone tonight’s game was made in consultation with Major League Baseball and in consideration of the Governor’s state of emergency declaration. The Red Sox and Major League Baseball feel it is better to err on the side of public safety even if the current weather forecast dramatically changes its course.

NOTES

* Earlier today, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia underwent successful surgery on the navicular bone of his left foot. A screw was inserted to promote healing of a fracture which occurred on June 25 in San Francisco. The procedure was performed by Dr. George Theodore and Dr. Tom Gill at Massachusetts General Hospital.

* The revised pitching match-ups have tonight’s starters going in the rescheduled game tomorrow afternoon:

According to various reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to just let the White Sox have outfielder Manny Ramirez on a waiver claim. Chicago will pay the $3.825 million left on his contract for this season, while the Dodgers recalled Ramon Troncoso from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his roster spot.

Manny and his new teammates will be at Fenway for a three-game weekend series, while the Red Sox travel to the Windy City September 27-30.

Ramirez, 38, is hitting .311 (61-196) with eight home runs and 40 RBI in 66 games with the Dodgers in 2010. He is hitting .357 (20-56) with runners in scoring position, .340 (33-97) with runners on base and .323 (51-158) against right-handed pitchers. Ramirez was on the disabled list from July 20-August 20 with a right calf strain, missing 33 games.

A career .313 (2,555-8,158) hitter with 554 home home runs, 1,828 RBI and 1,538 runs scored over an 18-year career, Ramirez has played in 2,273 games with Cleveland (1993-2000), Boston (2001-08) and the Dodgers (2008-10).

Ramirez ranks eighth all-time in slugging percentage (.589), ninth in OPS (1.000), 14th in home runs, 17th in RBI, 23rd in doubles (546), 26th in total bases (4,803) and 33rd in on-base percentage (.411). He leads active players in RBI, ranks second in OPS, slugging percentage and doubles, third in home runs and on-base percentage and fourth in walks.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Ramirez was an American League All-Star in 1995 and from 1998-2008, and he received the Silver Slugger Award in 1995 and from 1999-2006.

Ramirez has 111 games of postseason experience, hitting .285 (117-410) with 29 home runs, 78 RBI and 117 runs scored. His 29 home runs are the most all-time, and his 78 RBI rank second behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez was a member of Boston’s World Series championship teams in 2004 and 2007, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2004 Fall Classic.

Peavy, 29, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 7 with a detached latissimus dorsi muscle in his right posterior shoulder. He underwent surgery on July 14 and will miss the remainder of the season.